We recently welcomed Tszwai So to the estate who is currently researching the architecture of Victorian architect George Truefitt (1824-1902) on the Building History Bursary at Cambridge University.Tszwai is a practising architect from London and director of Clapham-based Spheron Architects. He is the recipient of the 2003 Ho Fook Prize in Architecture awarded by the University of Hong Kong and the RIBA Journal Rising Star Award laureate 2016. Glen Tanar Estate is considered to be one of Truefitt's two most ambitious and largest commissions (the other being his surveyorship in Tufnell Park in London from 1865-1890). Truefitt was involved in erecting most of the significant structures within the estate for 26 years from 1871 till 1897. In 1847, he co-founded what would become the most prestigious school of architecture in the English-speaking world, the Architectural Association in London.
Tszwai was impressed by Truefitt's creative energy and his commitment for originality, his picturesque and rustic approach at Glen Tanar honours locally available materials and craftsmanship, anticipating the late 19th century Arts & Crafts movement. He is an architect who merits serious study and Tszwai's is hopeful that his research will bring a long due reappraisal of the works of this often overlooked but nationally significant architect.
Thanks to Michael & Claire Bruce's efforts, the biggest collection of Truefitt's buildings have been sympathetically preserved to these days.